In recent years, sim-racing has boomed in popularity, driven by brands such as Fanatec, Simagic, Logitech or Thrustmaster. Most of these players have been in the industry for over 20 years, offering quality, high-performance products aimed at a wide range of virtual pilots.
In sim-racing, there are mainly 3 classes of racer: amateurs, seasoned racers and professionals. The first are people who want to have fun after work or on weekends, spending their time on a title like Forza Horizon where the focus is on scenery and fast cars.
Professional racers are simply drivers employed by racing teams who use sim-racing equipment for their training sessions, and that’s understandable too, because a session with a race car can quickly become expensive.
And lately, seasoned racers are passionate about cars and racing, but don’t necessarily have the budget for trackdays. They are gamers who have been shaped by titles such as Gran Turismo at an early age, then moved on to the next level with Assetto Corsa and iRacing.
Each type of virtual driver has his own sim-racing setup, offering a compromise between realism, immersion, feel and budget. A Sunday driver’s setup will be a far cry from that of a professional racer. And in what follows, we take a look at the best sim-racing setup you can buy in 2025 for a seasoned racer. We won’t go into the subject of amateur or professional drivers, because the reason is simple: the amateur driver is only interested in having fun on the cheap. The professional driver and his setup are simply unaffordable.
Direct Drive bases, steering wheels and pedals
First of all, for sim-racing, you’ll need basic equipment. We’re talking about basic Direct Drive, racing-specific steering wheels and Load Cell pedals. Instead of naming one or two products, we’ll be talking about 3 brands and what they have to offer a seasoned sim-racing driver.
Fanatec ClubSport DD/DD+, a ClubSport steering wheel and CSL Pedals Elite or ClubSport Pedals
The ClubSport DD/DD+ is a Direct Drive base from Fanatec, released in 2024. With 12 and 15 nm of torque respectively, and constant torque, it represents an excellent base for seasoned drivers looking for the perfect compromise between realism and immersion, without breaking the bank.
For the steering wheels, you can choose any of Fanatec’s ClubSport range to match the base, and above all the discipline you like best. And when it comes to pedals, you have 2 options at Fanatec: the CSL Pedals Elite and the ClubSport Pedals with Load Cell for great sensations.
Moza Racing R9 or R12
It’s the same story at Moza Racing, as the brand currently offers bundles in its catalog with several steering wheel options depending on the discipline chosen. The R9 bundle includes the R9 base of the same name, developing 9 nm of torque, and for the other bundle, it’s the R12 base (12 nm).
These two bases target, let’s say, two categories of the same audience: those who are motivated for sim-racing but are just starting out, and those with experience. As far as sensations are concerned, you’ll be well served. Both bases are really top-notch in terms of communication, although not on the same level as Fanatec, which has a long experience in the field, but that’s more than enough for optimal immersion.
When it comes to cranksets, Moza offers several in its catalog, such as the SR-P and CR-P Load Cell. One is aimed at a professional audience (CR-P) because of its 200 kg load cell, while the other is much more aimed at the generalist.
There are other sim-racing peripherals from Moza, such as the R16 and R21 bases, or even the ActivePedals, which is an active pedalboard, but these are much more elitist products.
Simagic Alpha
Simagic is certainly a young player, but the brand has rapidly evolved to offer competitive equipment to Fanatec and others. The DD Alpha base represents the brand’s mid-range, with 15 nm of torque. There’s also the Alpha Mini with 10 nm of torque, but it’s aimed much more at a beginner audience looking to improve over time.
The Alpha is an excellent DD base, offering realistic sensations and feedback details that are both light and heavy. The Alpha holds its own against the competition, and many virtual pilots swear by its sim-racing performance.
Simagic wheels are numerous, covering touring, GT and Formula. The build quality is top-notch, with excellent design and ergonomics worthy of professional pilots.
There are technically 2 Simagic cranksets: the Load Cell P1000 and the hydraulic P2000. But in reality, the P1000 comes in several variants, including hydraulic versions. For our setup, a P1000 is more than enough for maximum racing immersion.
The frame – tubular or aluminum profile
In terms of chassis, there are two families: tubular and profiled aluminum. The first category is aimed at drivers with specific setups, like F1 for example, and whose look is paramount in their setup. The second category is much more for those who want an adaptable, evolving setup.
The Fanatec ClubSport GT Tubular Cockpit
The ClubSport GT Cockpit from Fanatec, a tubular chassis designed for immersion and performance. Its design, inspired by the cage hoops of racing cars, gives it an aggressive look, and its 50 mm tube diameter ensures optimum rigidity.
This cockpit is highly adjustable, with a modular driving position (GT, F1, rally) and tool-free adjustable supports for pedals and base. Its integrated pass-through system enables clean cable management, resulting in a clean, uncluttered setup.
In terms of stability, it easily handles powerful Direct Drive bases, whether from Fanatec, Moza or Simagic. In-game feel is excellent, with good vibration transmission through the structure.
If you’re looking for a sturdy, stylish tubular chassis, the ClubSport GT is an excellent option. On the downside, the bucket seat is sold separately, which may increase the total cost of the setup.
Sim-Lab GT1 Evo in aluminum profile
Sim-Lab’s GT1 Evo is an aluminum profile chassis designed for rigidity and scalability. Its sober, square design fits perfectly into any sim-racing setup.
It offers precise adjustment of steering wheel, pedal and seat positions, enabling optimum configuration for all disciplines. It is compatible with most equipment (Fanatec, Moza, Logitech, Asetek…), making it a flexible solution.
In terms of solidity, nothing moves. It easily supports the most powerful Direct Drive bases on the market.
Assembly is more time-consuming and tedious, with a digital guide that’s not always clear, but once assembled, it’s a rock. With a reasonable price tag for an aluminum profile chassis, the GT1 Evo is a sure bet for demanding sim-racers.
Monitors and other VR headsets
Sim-racing doesn’t just stop at feedback devices. You also need to see what your car is doing to increase immersion, and there’s nothing like a curved screen to give you that, and a VR headset too.
For monitors, and this is my personal choice, I find the Samsung Odyssey G9 to be the ultimate in its category. With a 49″ diagonal, 4K resolution, 240 Hz refresh rate, OLED and curved, it’s the best on the market. It’s pure joy to play on this screen, especially if your machine can run 4K in Ultra.
For VR headsets, you have the Oculus Rift, which is a great option for diving into the world of sim-racing body and soul.
Depending on your level of sim-racing, you can opt for more powerful Direct Drive bases, such as a Fanatec Podium DD2, a Moza R21 or a Simagic Alpha U. They’ll be more expensive, of course, but the sensations will be tenfold.
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